FORT WAYNE, Ind. (www.incnow.tv) – Janet Haudenschild, the wife of the Washington Township firefighter who died Sunday when his tanker flipped en route to a brush fire on Butler Road, thanked the community for its support.

Janet, accompanied by a widow of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty in Kentucky and Washington Township Fire Chief Brian Gillett, answered questions from media members for about 20 minutes Wednesday at the Washington Township Fire Department.

“He loved the kids very much. Our son was his buddy. Our little girl, he adored with all his heart, and I know he loved me with all his heart."

She called every moment in their five-year marriage her favorite.

"Even if it was something to where we were, you know, doing anything we had to do around the house, do outside or going to the zoo. Anything it was, as long as we were together, just, it was my favorite."

Haudenschild II worked as a technician at Comcast in addition to being the chief engineer assistant for the Washington Township Fire Department. Janet, who started dating Hausdenschild II before he became a firefighter, said she had her reservations about the profession but also commented that she did not want to stop Haudenschild II from pursuing something he loved. She says he was motivated by helping others.

"I think just the aspect of helping people, you know, putting out that fire, making the story of helping somebody who needed him gave him just... Gave him the sense of accomplishment that he fixed them or got them out of something and they could go on with their lives."

Donations to the Haudenschilds can be made at any branch of the Three Rivers Federal Credit Union or any branch of the Fire Police City County Federal Credit Union.

Haudenschild will be buried Saturday at Riverview Cemetery in Churubusco.

What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "QUESTION OF THE DAY” comment.

Want to be in the know for the next weather event, the next school closing or the next big breaking news story?

TextCaster alerts from 21Alive.com are your defining source for instant information delivered right to your cell phone and email. It's free, easy and instant. Sign-Up Now!Powered by Summit City Chevrolet